Dominion Stage Opens SPRING AWAKENING, 10/5

Dominion Stage kicks off its 2012/2013 season with "Spring Awakening", winner of eight 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical follows a group of 19th century German students on their journey as they navigate the insecurities and the anxieties of entering young adulthood.

The 'song vs. story world' musical theater experienceis based on Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 play, "Spring's Awakening" and boasts an explosive 'indie-rock', and 'folk-infused' score by Grammy Award winner Duncan Sheik, with lyrics and book by Steven Sater. The musical examines and explores adolescent rebellion, the celebration of youth, and the universal issues of coming-of-age sexuality, teen pregnancy, child abuse and suicide. (The dramatic work was so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery and coming-of-age, that it was often banned and censored from the stage and did not receive its first English performance until 1917.) Directed by local performer/director William D. Parker, the creative team also includes

J. Michael d'Haviland as Music Director, Amanda Layton-Whiteman, as Choreographer, and Stage Manager Joan A.S. Lada. Dominion Stage is the first all-volunteer community theatre organization to produce "Spring Awakening" in the DC Metro area. This production is recommended for ages 16 and older. Full cast and artistic bios, and promotional photo and video links will be available online atwww.DominionStage.org.

"Spring Awakening" will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings starting Friday, October 5 through Saturday, October 20, 2012. Curtain is 8 p.m. All performances will be held at the Gunston Arts Center - Theater One, located at 2700 S. Lang Street in Arlington. Seating is General Admission; discounted tickets are available online for pre-purchase at www.DominionStage.org. Group discount information is available by calling (571) 377-4697 or emailing box-office@dominionstage.org.